Garland’s Lake Edge Sublease: How the Take Area Works

Eyeing a waterfront home along Lake Ray Hubbard and wondering who actually owns the land between your backyard and the water? You’re not alone. The answer is the “Take Area,” and it affects what you can build, who maintains it, and how a sale works. In this guide, you’ll learn the essentials of Garland’s Lakeshore Residential Sublease program, from eligibility and costs to permits and public access. Let’s dive in.

What the Take Area is

The City of Dallas owns the Take Area, which is the strip of land between the shoreline and the Take Line around Lake Ray Hubbard. Dallas leases this land to the City of Garland, and Garland subleases portions to eligible adjoining property owners through a standard Lakeshore Residential Sublease Agreement. The shoreline is tied to the lake’s normal pool elevation of 435.5 MSL, so parts of the Take Area can be intermittently submerged. You can review the sublease form and key terms in Garland’s official materials (Lakeshore Residential Sublease Agreement).

Who can sublease and where

If your lot adjoins the Take Area in Garland, you may be eligible to sublease the corridor directly behind your property. Garland’s Lake Edge Zoning page outlines the program and standards for these tracts (Lake Edge Zoning District & Development Standards). To locate your specific corridor and tract number, use the city’s published maps (Lakeshore Residential Sublease Corridor Maps). This step helps confirm eligibility and boundaries before you apply.

Key sublease terms and costs

Garland’s standard sublease term is 20 years, with options for four additional 5-year renewals. The agreement is subordinate to the Interlocal Agreement between Dallas and Garland, which means termination of the interlocal arrangement can also terminate the sublease. Garland lists a standard initial sublease payment of $750 and a small annual rent, such as $50 per year in the July 29, 2020 agreement. Surveying fees can apply if tract pins are missing, so confirm existing markers early.

What you can build and what is restricted

Permits and approvals

Any structure or shoreline work in the Take Area requires approvals from Dallas Water Utilities and the City of Garland. Dallas issues permit forms and technical directives for lake structures, erosion control, vegetation removal, and dredging, which set the rules for design, insurance, and construction timelines (Dallas Water Utilities permits and directives).

Design limits you should know

Dallas guidance generally limits improvements to no more than 40 feet from the shoreline outward into the lake. Plans must be sealed by a licensed professional engineer and meet lake-specific wind, wave, and erosion standards. Build with approved materials and follow the scope defined in your permits.

Common prohibitions

Certain activities are not allowed unless specifically permitted. Examples include building boat ramps or lifts, launching watercraft from the shoreline, disturbing the lake bottom below normal pool elevation, creating sandy beach areas, and removing vegetation below normal pool elevation. Dredging and beach creation often require multi-agency approvals and detailed engineered plans (Dredging and related guidance).

Timelines and complexity

Expect timelines to vary by scope. Larger projects, especially dredging, can take months and may involve state and federal coordination. Many permits require completion within a defined window once issued, so line up your engineer and contractor early (Dallas Water Utilities permits and directives).

Public access and easements

Garland retains a blanket pedestrian and passive recreation easement across subleased corridors. In practice, that means your sublease is not an exclusive private right to the surface. The City may place public trails, lighting, or signage within the corridor, while considering your intended uses. Plan your improvements with this shared-use context in mind.

How this affects a purchase or sale

If you buy a home with a subleased corridor or permitted lake improvements, you may inherit maintenance, insurance, and compliance duties. Owners are generally responsible for upkeep and debris mitigation of private structures in the Take Area, and they must carry required insurance. Sellers are expected to transfer maintenance responsibilities and relevant permits to buyers, which makes documentation and final inspections important (Dallas Water Utilities permits and directives). Because the sublease rides on Dallas’ ownership and the interlocal arrangement, buyers should understand that the right is leasehold, not fee-simple land ownership.

Step-by-step checklist

• Verify tract and status. Identify your tract on the city’s maps and confirm whether a sublease is in place (Sublease Corridor Maps).
• Review the executed sublease. Confirm term, renewals, rent, maintenance duties, insurance, and reversion or termination clauses (Sublease Agreement form).
• Gather permits and inspections. Request Dallas and Garland permits for any structures, dredging, erosion control, or vegetation removal, plus final inspections (Dallas Water Utilities permits).
• Confirm boundaries on the ground. Check for survey pins marking tract corners and budget for a survey if markers are missing (Garland Lake Edge FAQs).
• Plan for timelines. Engineering, multi-agency reviews, and construction windows can add months, especially for dredging or major shoreline work (Dredging guidance).
• Contact the right offices. Start with Garland Engineering for sublease initiation and tract questions, and Dallas Water Utilities for lake structure permits (Garland Lake Edge FAQs).

Lake levels and boundary basics

The shoreline is tied to Lake Ray Hubbard’s normal pool elevation of 435.5 MSL. As lake levels fluctuate, parts of the Take Area may be intermittently submerged. This can influence design decisions, materials, and maintenance planning. It also reinforces why engineering review and proper permits are required.

Bottom line

Understanding how the Take Area and Garland’s sublease work helps you set realistic expectations for improvements, timelines, and ongoing obligations. With the right documents and a clear plan, you can navigate due diligence, safeguard your investment, and enjoy the lake lifestyle more confidently. If you want a second set of eyes on your next move, we’re here to help.

Ready to talk through a waterfront purchase or sale and how a Take Area sublease could affect your plans? Reach out to the team at Roots Residential Group for thoughtful, client-first guidance.

FAQs

What is the Take Area at Lake Ray Hubbard?

• It is City of Dallas land between the Take Line and the shoreline that Garland subleases to eligible adjoining owners under a standard agreement.

Who can apply for a Garland sublease?

• Owners of property that directly adjoins the Take Area within Garland may be eligible, which you can verify using the city’s corridor maps.

How long is the sublease and what are the costs?

• The term is typically 20 years with four 5-year renewal options, with a listed $750 initial payment and a small annual rent in the 2020 agreement.

Can you build a dock or boathouse in the Take Area?

• Possibly, but it requires approvals from Dallas Water Utilities and Garland, engineered plans, and adherence to size limits and materials standards.

Does the public have access through a subleased corridor?

• Yes, Garland retains a pedestrian and passive recreation easement, so the corridor is not exclusive and may include trails or lighting.

What should buyers request during due diligence?

• Ask for the executed sublease, all Dallas and Garland permits and final inspections, surveys, and a record of maintenance and repairs for any improvements.